General Membership Minutes 04/12/2006
DOLPHIN DEMOCRATS
A Chartered Affiliate of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
The regular meeting of the General Membership of the Dolphin Democrats was held on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at 7:43 P.M., at the GLCC, 1717 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, the President being in the chair and the Secretary being present.
Justin Flippen, Dolphin Board Member, led invocation.
Kenneth Keechl, Dolphin President, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Charlie Kaplan, Circuit Judge (group 6) candidate, addressed the group prior to the beginning of the meeting. He apologized for not staying for the meeting but informed the group that judicial candidates may not participate in political meetings because they are considered nonpartisan.
Kenneth Keechl introduced the following dignitaries or candidates in attendance:
· Charlie Kaplan for Circuit Judge, group 6
· Joe Angelo, Commissioner of Wilton Manors
· Christian Chiari for House 91
· Lee Mirsky, School Board District 6
· Alain Jean for State Representative, District 93
The Chair recognized the presence of a quorum and proceeded with the meeting.
I. President’s Report:
a) The President apologized to our Jewish members for the General Meeting time and date coinciding with Passover. “I want to apologize to our Jewish members. It is the first day of Passover. It’s in the bylaws that we have our meeting the second Tuesday of the month.”
b) The Minutes from the previous General Meeting were ratified at 7:47pm.
c) The President welcomed new members.
d) The President addressed the fundraiser for Amy Rose, which he feels was successful. The President thanked all who donated time and funds. “We raised over 2000.00 for her.”
e) The President addressed the President’s reception, which will take place on June 11 from 1-4pm at Kenneth Keechl and Ted Adcock’s home. Please come and enjoy good times and good people.
f) Stonewall is being held June 18th. The Dolphins will be in the parade. If you’d like to participate please sign up. I believe Ron Klein will be attending as well.
g) Membership and Campaign committee need help from the general membership. “We acknowledge we haven’t communicated about these committees, but now we will be.”
1. Membership, last Tuesday
2. Campaign, third Thursday
h) The President addressed our club: “We really truly are making a difference. I was pleased about an article in the Advocate about Jim Davis and Rod Smith that these two candidates have come out against the Anti-gay Marriage Amendment. We were able to educate these two candidates. I’m proud to be a part of this club and this group, but we’re not perfect. If you’ve read my President’s message, we are a family. We are all in this together. Again we appreciate ya’ll coming out and sitting here to hear the candidates and fight for equality. At times we will disagree on issues and as your President I will listen to you, but we need to remember we are a team and our goal is more important than any one candidate. I don’t want anything or any action by anyone including me to take us away from our goals. I have reinforced through the board and my newsletter that we need to make sure we stand solid and that we don’t let personal issues interfere with that issue.”
i) May’s General Meeting speaker will be Broward County Mayor, Ben. Florida State Senator, Skip Cambell for Attorney General.
j) The President spoke of his meeting with Howard Dean. “I had the opportunity to meet with Howard Dean. It was a very exciting time. The Democrats realize we have the opportunity to take back the House and the Senate. I truly believe after talking with Howard Dean that we’re going to see a unified party as we go into the November elections and that he believes in his heart that we will take back the House or the Senate. We are Democrats and as activist we are prone to criticize. What is our plan? Howard Dean told me the Democrats will be focusing on 6 to 8 policy issues: They cover the values that we stand for and will be coming out with this message in September. By the time I got done meeting with Howard Dean I was confident that we’re going to see a unified Democratic party.”
k) Melissa was elected into the Broward County Women’s Hall of Fame. Ken congratulated her for her accomplishments.
II. Vice President Report:
a) Readdressed Passover and the meeting date in reference to the bylaws.
b) The Vice President addressed outreach needs. “We need to have a conversation as Democrats on a regular basis with those folks who are independent, Republican and those who don’t usually vote. We need to make sure that we’re talking now with folks about economics.” The Vice President reviewed statistics in her Vice President’s address. These conversations about economics and education will dovetail with the Democratic Party’s agenda that will be set forth sometime in the Fall.”
c) The Vice President addressed reframing the Gay Marriage issue. “We’re going to have to address relationships as a whole. We need to have relationship choices, whether it’s civil unions or domestic partnership. We can build bridges between heterosexual unions and gay unions.”
1. 70% of those polled agree that we should have choice in how we form our relationships
III. Campaign Committee’s Report: Michael Albetta and Bill Baines called to speak.
a) Michael Albetta thanked Christian Chiari for speaking to the Dolphin Democrats. “We have identified 24,000 same sex households in your district. I want to thank you for coming here and addressing us tonight and I want you to keep coming back here.”
b) Michael stated, “We all know what’s going to be happening this year. There’s a groundswell in the 24th district because there’s a guy by the name of Ron Klein that is going to win this seat. This is the hottest race in the United States. The great thing is the Dolphins and the State GLBT Caucus will be having another get out the vote office. As President of the State GLBT Caucus we have earmarked 10 locations for these offices.”
c) Ken and Melissa were asked forward, Michael presented them with certificates on behalf of the State GLBT Caucus.
d) Michael rallied the club participants to sign up for the “get out the vote” push. He presented a sign up sheet and asked members to give at least one hour of their time. “We’re going to win these seats back. We need an hour or two hours of your time. We walk the districts. We are going after the non-party affiliates. Those are the people who are going the help the Democrats push it right over.”
e) Bill Baines stated, “we had a successful operation in Wilton Manors in 2004. We’re working with the state party to help support this effort. We are looking for support via the HRC as well. We’ve been trying to identify where we’re going to have the most success. What we’re trying to say is that we’re a sizable community. We turn out the vote and if you ignore us you do so at your own peril. One basis we’re using for our analysis is the 2000 census. When we did this we’ve found some key areas, e.g. Wilton Manors. In the end this will assist us to focus our energy and get out the vote.”
f) Michael Albetta restated the Campaign Committees meeting time, date and location.
g) By June we plan to have the office open. I want to make sure that there’s a Democratic Governor in Florida.
IV. Membership Committee’s Report:
a) No report
V. Day of Remembrance:
a) Leanna Bradley stated, “The Dolphin Democrats have been fighting for the hate crimes bill. The US Senate has passed the Hate Crime Bill and I have been educating our community about this issue.”
b) Transgender Day of Remembrance, for people who were killed in hate crimes, held in November. We had 112 people in attendance last year.
1. Michael Albetta and Ted Adcock were presented certificates of appreciation from the Transgender Day of Remembrance committee.
VI. Speaker and subject:
a) Christian Chiari, District 91, running against Ellen Bogdanoff. “When Ellen ran for this seat she claimed she was a gay friendly Republican. She’s part of the right wing agenda and doesn’t care about gay people or their children.”
b) Christian stated: “Hello friends, I’m running for District 91.” Christian discussed the gerrymandering issue in his district and the frustration of the Democrats in this district. He discussed the close race in 1991 with Connie Mack, in his district, which speaks to the passion of Democrats in this district.
c) “Ellen Bogdanoff, has run unchallenged and that’s not going to happen this year. I intend to be your Democrat on the ticket and I plan to win. Let’s look at the issue of hurricane insurance. We’ve had an 85% increase, so much so that some are being forced out of their homes.”
d) “Let’s talk about hurricanes. Where’s our plan for this year. Has anything changed since last year? We need to have a plan and we need to practice that plan. What about gas stations? We’re no better this year than last year. We can wait for FEMA but that’s not leadership. Leadership is conducting a plan now and asking FEMA for payment later. We don’t have the luxury of not having a plan.”
e) “Education, a majority of us agree that we are under funding education. They’re plan is to put 60 students and two teachers into each class to meet the class size reduction. That’s not a suitable solution, that’s not leadership. We should build multistory classrooms. We need to realize over the next ten years the population of Broward County is to increase by 60%. Merge schools as first responding center and interlink our agencies.”
f) Special election of 2002, Ellen Bogdanoff won by 12 votes. There were questions that weren’t answered by the Supervisor of Elections office. We don’t have transparency in our voting system which leads to apathy.
g) Gay Adoption – “I believe that the best household is any house that has two sets of eyes, ears, and two sets of arms to be seen, heard, and loved. As Democrats we fight to protect individual rights and privacy.”
Ken stated that, “I truly believe we can’t depend on anyone but ourselves. I remember as a board member in 2004, watching Michael struggle to find monies for the get out the vote center. When I took over the Presidency I said this wasn’t going to happen again in 2006. If there’s anyone that can find the money for the get out the vote center, it’s Michael. No matter what there will be a get out the vote center in Broward.”
International Black Film Festival will be sponsored by the Dolphin Democrats as we did last year.
The raffle, two bottles of wine and shirt, won by Wayne Whitson.
Upon the motion of Amy Shoosmith, the General Membership Meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________
Julie D. Bruno, Secretary
Enclosures:
Order of Business
Elected Official Sign-in Sheet, April 12, 2006
General Meeting Minutes for March 8, 2006
Candidates Sign-in Sheet, April 12, 2006
Approved at the Regular General Membership Meeting, April 12, 2006.
_________________________
Kenneth E. Keechl
President
A Chartered Affiliate of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
The regular meeting of the General Membership of the Dolphin Democrats was held on Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at 7:43 P.M., at the GLCC, 1717 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, the President being in the chair and the Secretary being present.
Justin Flippen, Dolphin Board Member, led invocation.
Kenneth Keechl, Dolphin President, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Charlie Kaplan, Circuit Judge (group 6) candidate, addressed the group prior to the beginning of the meeting. He apologized for not staying for the meeting but informed the group that judicial candidates may not participate in political meetings because they are considered nonpartisan.
Kenneth Keechl introduced the following dignitaries or candidates in attendance:
· Charlie Kaplan for Circuit Judge, group 6
· Joe Angelo, Commissioner of Wilton Manors
· Christian Chiari for House 91
· Lee Mirsky, School Board District 6
· Alain Jean for State Representative, District 93
The Chair recognized the presence of a quorum and proceeded with the meeting.
I. President’s Report:
a) The President apologized to our Jewish members for the General Meeting time and date coinciding with Passover. “I want to apologize to our Jewish members. It is the first day of Passover. It’s in the bylaws that we have our meeting the second Tuesday of the month.”
b) The Minutes from the previous General Meeting were ratified at 7:47pm.
c) The President welcomed new members.
d) The President addressed the fundraiser for Amy Rose, which he feels was successful. The President thanked all who donated time and funds. “We raised over 2000.00 for her.”
e) The President addressed the President’s reception, which will take place on June 11 from 1-4pm at Kenneth Keechl and Ted Adcock’s home. Please come and enjoy good times and good people.
f) Stonewall is being held June 18th. The Dolphins will be in the parade. If you’d like to participate please sign up. I believe Ron Klein will be attending as well.
g) Membership and Campaign committee need help from the general membership. “We acknowledge we haven’t communicated about these committees, but now we will be.”
1. Membership, last Tuesday
2. Campaign, third Thursday
h) The President addressed our club: “We really truly are making a difference. I was pleased about an article in the Advocate about Jim Davis and Rod Smith that these two candidates have come out against the Anti-gay Marriage Amendment. We were able to educate these two candidates. I’m proud to be a part of this club and this group, but we’re not perfect. If you’ve read my President’s message, we are a family. We are all in this together. Again we appreciate ya’ll coming out and sitting here to hear the candidates and fight for equality. At times we will disagree on issues and as your President I will listen to you, but we need to remember we are a team and our goal is more important than any one candidate. I don’t want anything or any action by anyone including me to take us away from our goals. I have reinforced through the board and my newsletter that we need to make sure we stand solid and that we don’t let personal issues interfere with that issue.”
i) May’s General Meeting speaker will be Broward County Mayor, Ben. Florida State Senator, Skip Cambell for Attorney General.
j) The President spoke of his meeting with Howard Dean. “I had the opportunity to meet with Howard Dean. It was a very exciting time. The Democrats realize we have the opportunity to take back the House and the Senate. I truly believe after talking with Howard Dean that we’re going to see a unified party as we go into the November elections and that he believes in his heart that we will take back the House or the Senate. We are Democrats and as activist we are prone to criticize. What is our plan? Howard Dean told me the Democrats will be focusing on 6 to 8 policy issues: They cover the values that we stand for and will be coming out with this message in September. By the time I got done meeting with Howard Dean I was confident that we’re going to see a unified Democratic party.”
k) Melissa was elected into the Broward County Women’s Hall of Fame. Ken congratulated her for her accomplishments.
II. Vice President Report:
a) Readdressed Passover and the meeting date in reference to the bylaws.
b) The Vice President addressed outreach needs. “We need to have a conversation as Democrats on a regular basis with those folks who are independent, Republican and those who don’t usually vote. We need to make sure that we’re talking now with folks about economics.” The Vice President reviewed statistics in her Vice President’s address. These conversations about economics and education will dovetail with the Democratic Party’s agenda that will be set forth sometime in the Fall.”
c) The Vice President addressed reframing the Gay Marriage issue. “We’re going to have to address relationships as a whole. We need to have relationship choices, whether it’s civil unions or domestic partnership. We can build bridges between heterosexual unions and gay unions.”
1. 70% of those polled agree that we should have choice in how we form our relationships
III. Campaign Committee’s Report: Michael Albetta and Bill Baines called to speak.
a) Michael Albetta thanked Christian Chiari for speaking to the Dolphin Democrats. “We have identified 24,000 same sex households in your district. I want to thank you for coming here and addressing us tonight and I want you to keep coming back here.”
b) Michael stated, “We all know what’s going to be happening this year. There’s a groundswell in the 24th district because there’s a guy by the name of Ron Klein that is going to win this seat. This is the hottest race in the United States. The great thing is the Dolphins and the State GLBT Caucus will be having another get out the vote office. As President of the State GLBT Caucus we have earmarked 10 locations for these offices.”
c) Ken and Melissa were asked forward, Michael presented them with certificates on behalf of the State GLBT Caucus.
d) Michael rallied the club participants to sign up for the “get out the vote” push. He presented a sign up sheet and asked members to give at least one hour of their time. “We’re going to win these seats back. We need an hour or two hours of your time. We walk the districts. We are going after the non-party affiliates. Those are the people who are going the help the Democrats push it right over.”
e) Bill Baines stated, “we had a successful operation in Wilton Manors in 2004. We’re working with the state party to help support this effort. We are looking for support via the HRC as well. We’ve been trying to identify where we’re going to have the most success. What we’re trying to say is that we’re a sizable community. We turn out the vote and if you ignore us you do so at your own peril. One basis we’re using for our analysis is the 2000 census. When we did this we’ve found some key areas, e.g. Wilton Manors. In the end this will assist us to focus our energy and get out the vote.”
f) Michael Albetta restated the Campaign Committees meeting time, date and location.
g) By June we plan to have the office open. I want to make sure that there’s a Democratic Governor in Florida.
IV. Membership Committee’s Report:
a) No report
V. Day of Remembrance:
a) Leanna Bradley stated, “The Dolphin Democrats have been fighting for the hate crimes bill. The US Senate has passed the Hate Crime Bill and I have been educating our community about this issue.”
b) Transgender Day of Remembrance, for people who were killed in hate crimes, held in November. We had 112 people in attendance last year.
1. Michael Albetta and Ted Adcock were presented certificates of appreciation from the Transgender Day of Remembrance committee.
VI. Speaker and subject:
a) Christian Chiari, District 91, running against Ellen Bogdanoff. “When Ellen ran for this seat she claimed she was a gay friendly Republican. She’s part of the right wing agenda and doesn’t care about gay people or their children.”
b) Christian stated: “Hello friends, I’m running for District 91.” Christian discussed the gerrymandering issue in his district and the frustration of the Democrats in this district. He discussed the close race in 1991 with Connie Mack, in his district, which speaks to the passion of Democrats in this district.
c) “Ellen Bogdanoff, has run unchallenged and that’s not going to happen this year. I intend to be your Democrat on the ticket and I plan to win. Let’s look at the issue of hurricane insurance. We’ve had an 85% increase, so much so that some are being forced out of their homes.”
d) “Let’s talk about hurricanes. Where’s our plan for this year. Has anything changed since last year? We need to have a plan and we need to practice that plan. What about gas stations? We’re no better this year than last year. We can wait for FEMA but that’s not leadership. Leadership is conducting a plan now and asking FEMA for payment later. We don’t have the luxury of not having a plan.”
e) “Education, a majority of us agree that we are under funding education. They’re plan is to put 60 students and two teachers into each class to meet the class size reduction. That’s not a suitable solution, that’s not leadership. We should build multistory classrooms. We need to realize over the next ten years the population of Broward County is to increase by 60%. Merge schools as first responding center and interlink our agencies.”
f) Special election of 2002, Ellen Bogdanoff won by 12 votes. There were questions that weren’t answered by the Supervisor of Elections office. We don’t have transparency in our voting system which leads to apathy.
g) Gay Adoption – “I believe that the best household is any house that has two sets of eyes, ears, and two sets of arms to be seen, heard, and loved. As Democrats we fight to protect individual rights and privacy.”
Ken stated that, “I truly believe we can’t depend on anyone but ourselves. I remember as a board member in 2004, watching Michael struggle to find monies for the get out the vote center. When I took over the Presidency I said this wasn’t going to happen again in 2006. If there’s anyone that can find the money for the get out the vote center, it’s Michael. No matter what there will be a get out the vote center in Broward.”
International Black Film Festival will be sponsored by the Dolphin Democrats as we did last year.
The raffle, two bottles of wine and shirt, won by Wayne Whitson.
Upon the motion of Amy Shoosmith, the General Membership Meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________
Julie D. Bruno, Secretary
Enclosures:
Order of Business
Elected Official Sign-in Sheet, April 12, 2006
General Meeting Minutes for March 8, 2006
Candidates Sign-in Sheet, April 12, 2006
Approved at the Regular General Membership Meeting, April 12, 2006.
_________________________
Kenneth E. Keechl
President
